An In Vitro Study on the Synergistic Effect of the Musa Acuminata and Citrofortunella Microcarpa Peel Extract Against Escherichia coli

Abstract

Musa acuminata, locally known as Saba Bananas, and Citrofortunella microcarpa, locally known as Calamansi, are cheap native fruits in the Philippines. Both peels are commonly thrown out after consumption, but some studies suggest that fruit peels may still be useful for their antibacterial properties. With the rise of the demand for an alternative antibacterial agent, this study aims to test the efficacy of banana and calamansi peels and their synergistic effect as an antibacterial agent. The study utilized a true experimental research design to investigate the Synergistic Effect of the Musa acuminata and Citrofortunella microcarpa peel extract against Escherichia coli. 100g of each dried peel were soaked in 95% ethanol for 48 hours. It was then filtered and evaporated through the rotary evaporator. Phytochemical analysis to identify the secondary metabolites of the combination of fruit extracts. Disk diffusion assay was used to identify the efficacy rate of combining the fruit extracts against Escherichia coli by measuring the zone of inhibition. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics using mean, one-way ANOVA, and Post Hoc tests. The study identified secondary metabolites of the combination of both fruit extracts that were positive for Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, and Triterpenes. The disc diffusion assay identified that the calamansi peels, banana peels, and the combination of calamansi and banana peels fall under the very reactive reactivity rating (>19mm). When the three samples were compared using ANOVA and Post Hoc tests, it revealed that the average zone of inhibition of the three samples was significantly different, with the combined banana and calamansi sample as the highest. The researchers have concluded that the synergistic effect of the banana and calamansi peel extracts proved to be capable of acting as an antibacterial agent against E. coli. The researchers recommend exploring the efficacy rate of extracts with different concentrations and using different bacteria for future studies.

Keywords: synergistic effect, antibacterial assay, phytochemical analysis